Automatic ventilator



Nov. 29, 1938. c. D. PAYDEN AUTOMATIC VENTILA'I'CSRI Filed Oct. 29, 1937aazedefl gaen ATTO RN EYS I WITNESS Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATESEATENT OFFiCE Application ()ctober 29,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic ventilators and has for an object toprovide a ventilator which will automatically control strong draftsthrough buildings to shut out rain which is fre- 5 quently driventhrough a ventilator by high wind.

A further object is to provide a ventilator in which the vanes arenormally supported in an inclined position by a spring, the spring beingconnected at one end to a tie rod which is 10 pivotally connected to thevanes, and being connected at its other end to means through which thetension of the spring may be varied, wind pressure above normal againstthe vanes tending to close the vanes against the tension of the spring,the spring automatically returning the vanes to normal position as soonas abnormal pressure is relieved.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will beformed of a few strong 20 simple and durable parts, which will beinexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modifications may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a ventilatorconstructed in accordance with the invention in position to controldraft through an opening in a building.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ventilator shown withthe vanes closed by abnormally high wind pressure. 4

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the ventilator and frame thereof, aportion being broken away to expose the spring and its adjusting mechanism.

Figure mechanism for tensioning the ventilator.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate similar parts in the various views, I0 designates a framemounted in an opening in a building II, the frame as usual consisting ofupper and lower transverse frame members and upright side frame members.

A plurality of slat vanesl2 are pivotally mounted off-center in the sideframe members by pivot pins l3 and normally slope downwardly. A tie rod14 is pivotally connected to the inner side at the top edge of eachvane, preferably inter-engaging staples l forming the pivotalconnection, although other pivotal connections may be employed.

4 is a detail sectional view showing the 4 the control spring of 1937,Serial No. 171,780

In the present embodiment of the invention a helical spring H5 ispivotally connected at the upper end to the lower end of the tie rod byinter-engaging eyes ll, or other connectors. The lower end of the springis connected to a flexible cable l8 which is wound upon a shaft is whichis rotatably engaged in a collar 20 carried by a resilient spider 2|which bears against a bracket arm 22 mounted upon the inner edge of thelower transverse member of the frame Ill. The shaft is equipped with aknob 23 by means of which the tension of the spring l6 may be adjusted.

Ordinarily the vanes I2 slope downwardly and permit gentle drafts toenter the building therebetween. However, in the case of abnormal winds,accompanied by rain, or not, the increased pressure tends to close thevanes as best shown in Figure 2, against the tension of the spring 16.Upon the abnormal pressure being relieved the tension of the spring l6returns the vanes to a normal open position.

By rotating the knob 23 the cable I8 is wound upon the shaft 19 orunwound therefrom, to adjust the tension of the spring It so that theslats may be adjusted to any desired spacing therebetween when in normalopen position as shown in Figure 1.

From the above description it is thought that the construction andoperation of the invention will be fully understood without furtherexplanation.

What is claimed is:

1. A ventilator comprising a frame, slat vanes pivotally connected atthe ends to said frame, a tie rod pivotally connected to the vanes, ahelical spring connected at one end to said rod, a flexible cableconnected to the other end of said spring, and a shaft carried by theframe upon which the cable is wound to regulate the tension of thespring, vanes open against yielding to permit the vanes normal windpressure.

2. A ventilator comprising upper, lower and upright frame members, aplurality of slats pivotally mounted off center in the upright mem bers,a tie rod pivotally connected to the inner side at the top edge of eachring, a helical spring pivotally connected at the upper end to the lowerend of the tie rod, a flexible cable connected to the lower end of thespring, a shaft upon which the cable is wound, a collar through whichthe shaft is rotatably engaged and having an integral resilient spider,a bracket secured to the lower frame member against which the spiderbears, and a knob on said shaft to wind or unwind the cable thereuponand regulate the tension of the spring.

gentle wind pressure and to close during ab- CLAUDE D. PAYDEN.

said spring normally holding saidv

